THE CHRONICLES OF MILOTH MAMA

‘Ikigai’ is an inspirational book with a beautiful message for all of us ‘find your life’s purpose to lead a meaningful and happy life’.

The book starts with the question, what is the point of existence?

According to the Japanese, everyone has their own purpose (their Ikigai) in life. This Ikigai is hidden somewhere in us, waiting to be discovered and followed. Some find it early, but, for some people it takes time and patience.

               The author talks about the five blue zones of the world, where people have long life spans and are relatively happier, disease free and live more meaningful and stress-free lives. This is elaborately explained with an example about people of Okinawa, who live hopeful lives every day because of their Ikigai. Their motto is “do what you want, but never retire”. This leads us to ponder, how Ikigai motivates them to face life everyday and live with satisfaction and meaning?  

Further, the author gives us the 4 secrets of long life minimise stress by well managing life, vegetarianism, walking and avoid alcohol.

               In this competitive world, there is a race to achieve everything in life faster than our friends, family and peers and achieve a high status in society. Instead, we should question “who I want to be we and what makes me truly happy”?

               The Japanese live by the principle of ‘Hara Hachi Bu’, which means eating only as much as our stomach becomes 80% full. Using this method, less energy is used for digestion in our body, and it also reduces oxidation process in the stomach. Although there is no sure shot way of knowing when our stomach becomes 80% full, we can stop eating when we start feeling full and not shove excess food in our body. (Here I would like to point out the a method of knowing when our stomach becomes 80% full, as per Indian philosophy, we get a burp when this happens. This burp is called ‘trupti dakaar’ or ‘the burp of satisfaction’. It is at this point that we should stop eating. To avoid wasting food, take less food / smaller portions and refill as required).

               The Japanese also follow the principle of ‘Moai’, which means connecting with life and serving the community. This helps generate more friendly behaviour with each other. Also, serving the community leads to greater emotional and economic fulfilment. Everyone feels safe and secure, is responsible and thus, lead stress-free long lives.

What is the importance of small things/ incidences and how do they bring joy in our lives?

According to scientists our body stops generating new cells after the age of 120 years. With technological advancement there is a possibility of increasing our lifespan and achieving immortality. However, to stay young our minds must be open and healthy. A mind filled with enthusiasm and energy keeps us forever young. For this purpose, along with physical exercise, mental exercise and training our brain is very important. Feeding new information to our brain, helps it form new connections and neural pathways, which makes us sharp, increases confidence and slows down ageing of neurons thereby, keeping us young. Mental training improves our reaction time to situations, decreases chances of Alzheimer, and reduces the process of ageing.

How stress works and what are its effects on ageing?

Stress accelerates the process of ageing and causes diseases (both physical and mental). When facing mental stress human body produces same antibodies as physical injury. The ill effects of these antibodies is that they destroy the good cells in our body and speeds up the process of ageing.

In the competitive world, we live a fast – paced life and deal with several stresses. At the sign of even small worries, the pituitary gland in our brain activates itself and secretes hormones which are cortico (stress) dropping. These hormones are transported by nervous system to the whole body and further activate the adrenal gland, which secretes two hormones. Adrenaline (triggers our fight / flight response, increases breathing, pulse rate) and cortisol hormone (increases blood glucose, dopamine and prepares to face the stress). Too much and repeated secretion of these hormones for minor worries, overexerts the glands / hormones in our body.   

What are real problems?

Mindfulness: Mindful living reduces stress and improves quality of life. It means to meditate, introspect, live in the present, control over stressful thoughts and stop our mind from going into auto-pilot which traps us in a vicious circle. It does not come naturally, but, learned by training our mind. Walking, adequate sleep, community life, eating fruits, living with companion animals and playing team games are tools to develop mindfulness.

The secret to being young lies within us

The symptoms of ageing are quickly visibe on the skin. Skin is the mirror of our internal system. To retain our youthfulness both within and outside, we must take adequate sleep. Sleep helps fight cancer, generates natural insulin, reduces risk of Alzheimers and chronic heart problems. After age of 30, secretion of melatonin (hormone which monitors our sleep-wake cycle) decreases slowly in the body. A balanced diet, calcium intake and avoiding caffeine help slow down this natural process.

Viktor Frankl and Logotherapy

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist and psychologist. He was a holocaust survivor who was sent to the Auschwitz camp. His life gives us the message that ” you can snatch everything from a person in their life, except, their perception and feeling to view a situation. This freedom can never be taken away”. His hope and will to survive, to find his family and to publish his research notes on logotherapy became his ‘Ikigai‘.

“Within all of us there lies great potential to do excellent and exceptional works”

The search for FLOW

When we do what we don’t like we get bored easily, leave it incomplete and feel disappointed. However, when we do what we enjoy the most, we get involved in it and forget the passage of time. This is known as reaching a state of flow.

To achieve flow, we must become one with whatever we are doing. Being in a state of flow makes us feel happy, enthusiastic and rejuvenated. It leads to having inspiration in life and this flow becomes our Ikigai.

To achieve flow, having a clear aim in mind is very important, along with immerself yourself in the work at hand. It is important to control our thoughts and at a time, focus on one aim only. Avoiding distractions reduces breaking of focus and allows continuity of the work, thus immersing in flow.

Multitasking: Now-a-days, the culture of multi-tasking is becoming very popular. However, instead of benefitting, studies have shown that, on the contrary, it reduces our productivity by 60% and IQ by 10 points. It is difficult to achieve a state of flow while multi-tasking, thereby reducing our productivity and memory.

How to achieve FLOW

• Calm workplace / atmosphere
• Reduce use of mobile phones (early morning and late night)
• Detox by having no technology day (once in a week)
• Using pomodoro technique for focusing
• Choose subjects of interest
• Practice mindfulness, swimming and walking
• Divide goals / aims into smaller doable tasks and conquer challenges
• Happiness should not be result oriented – but action oriented

YUIMARU

This Japanese philosophy teaches us “to live along with each other with mutual aid and warmth”. It is important to always be busy but feel relaxed. Important hobbies to cultivate to achieve this include playing, writing, reading, singing, creating, ceramic work, meditation, gardening, etc.

How to eat – Balanced Nutrition

Hara Hachi Bu: This is a Confucian teaching that advises eating until you are 80% full. It helps prevent overeating and promotes moderate calorie intake.

The author describes in detail that a high quality, healthy, nutritious, superfood, protein rich diet, lots of fruits, vegetables, and antioxident rich teas (jasmine, green, white) for a long, healthy and youthful life.

Eat less, Live long

Exercise

The author describes several exercises that promote physical health, mental well-being, and longevity. These exercises are inspired by the lifestyles of Okinawans, known for their long and healthy lives. These exercises emphasize the importance of integrating gentle, mindful movement into daily routines to promote both physical and mental health, a core component of the Ikigai philosophy.

1. Radio Taiso (Radio Calisthenics)

• Description: A daily exercise routine broadcasted on Japanese radio, combining simple stretches and movements.
• Purpose: Enhances flexibility, improves circulation, and provides a sense of community.
• How to Do It: Involves movements such as arm swings, toe touches, and gentle jumping jacks. It’s typically done in groups in the morning.

2. Gentle Stretching

• Description: Emphasizes slow, deliberate stretching exercises.
• Purpose: Maintains muscle flexibility, reduces stiffness, and prevents injury.
• How to Do It: Includes stretches for the arms, legs, and back, such as reaching for the toes, side bends, and shoulder rotations.

3. Qigong

• Description: A traditional Chinese exercise combining movement, meditation, and controlled breathing.
• Purpose: Enhances energy flow, reduces stress, and improves balance and coordination.
• How to Do It: Involves slow, rhythmic movements and deep breathing. Examples include flowing arm movements and standing postures that focus on balance.

4. Tai Chi

• Description: A martial art known for its slow, flowing movements and meditative aspect.
• Purpose: Improves balance, flexibility, and mental focus.
• How to Do It: Consists of sequences of movements performed in a slow, focused manner. Examples include the “wave hands like clouds” movement and the “brush knee and twist step” technique.

5. Yoga

• Description: A practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.
• Purpose: Increases flexibility, strength, and relaxation.
• How to Do It: Includes a variety of postures such as the downward dog, warrior poses, and sun salutations, along with breath control exercises like pranayama.

6. Walking and Outdoor Activities

• Description: Encourages regular walks and outdoor activities such as gardening or hiking.
• Purpose: Enhances cardiovascular health, mood, and connection with nature.
• How to Do It: Regular, brisk walks in nature, gardening, or engaging in other outdoor physical activities.

7. Martial Arts

• Description: Includes various forms of traditional martial arts like karate and judo.
• Purpose: Builds physical strength, discipline, and mental resilience.
• How to Do It: Involves practicing martial arts techniques, which can range from basic stances and strikes to more advanced forms and sparring.

8. Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises

• Description: Combines physical exercise with mindfulness practices, focusing on breathing and mental clarity.
• Purpose: Reduces stress, improves concentration, and enhances overall well-being.
• How to Do It: Simple breathing exercises, such as deep breathing or alternate nostril breathing, often integrated into physical exercises like yoga or tai chi.

WABI SABI

The author describes “Wabi-sabi” and “Ichigo-ichie” which focuse on Japanese concepts that contribute to a meaningful and fulfilled life. Thus, by valuing the present and accepting imperfection, one can lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life, aligning with the principles of Ikigai.

Wabi-sabi:

• Embraces the beauty of imperfection and impermanence.
• Encourages appreciation of the fleeting nature of life and the beauty found in simplicity and aged objects.

Ichigo-ichie:

• Translates to “once in a lifetime” or “this moment exists only now.”
• Emphasizes the importance of cherishing each moment and treating it as unique and unrepeatable.

How did I find my Ikigai? This blog and the articles that I post give meaning and purpose to my life. I have learned to pause, breathe and feel peace in my present. I do not want to keep running after materialistic goals, because once we achieve one goal, our mind forms another. There is no limitation to our greed and wants. Learning to be satisfied with what I have and enjoying it in the present, is the greatest secret I have unlocked.

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR IKIGAI? DO TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW…